Christopher T. Hurley

Share this:

Christopher T. Hurley has been a trial lawyer since 1984 and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients throughout Illinois and the country. He founded Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C. in 1992 on the principles of respect for clients, sensitivity to their needs, and aggressive protection of their interests.

His early training at Baker & McKenzie, the largest law firm in the world, allowed him to work with many of most notable and respected trial lawyers in the country representing major hospitals, corporations, and insurance companies. Incidentally this early experience took his interest to the other side of the courtroom, and Mr. Hurley decided to use his skills to help those who have been wrongfully injured.

The national and international trial bar has given Mr. Hurley its highest honors, inviting him to membership in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, International College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, and Society of Trial Lawyers.

These are all exclusive distinctions based on peer nominations not only for his experience as a trial lawyer, but for the character and integrity he brings to the profession. The standards for admission are high and the nominating process is very extensive and thorough.

Outstanding skills and extensive experience as a trial lawyer, unimpeachable personal and professional character, integrity, professionalism and honesty are required of every nominee, and membership in each organization is limited to a very small percentage of practicing trial lawyers. Based on peer recommendations and statewide surveys, he has also been named a Super Lawyer and a Leading Lawyer in Illinois.

Mr. Hurley has repeatedly been elected to leadership positions in the legal field. He elected as the 2016-2017 President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) and previously served as the Second Vice President. He has been a member of the ITLA Board of Managers since 1996. In 2011, he was elected to the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association.

In addition to his leadership roles, Mr. Hurley often presents at different organization events as an experienced legal advocate. At the 2015 Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Medical Malpractice Seminar he spoke on the topic of “Collateral Issues to Consider in Malpractice Cases.”

Mr. Hurley has helped expand legal education. He is the past President of the Alumni Board of Governors of Loyola University of Chicago Law School, his alma mater, where he also served on the Elder Initiative Advisory Board and sponsored the Christopher T. Hurley Lecture, part of a series held by the school on legal issues affecting the elderly.

He has been an adjunct professor of law at Northwestern University teaching trial practice, and he also speaks frequently to bar groups on topics related to personal injury law and trial practice.

A strong supporter of education in general, Mr. Hurley is a Trustee Emeritus and member of the Alumni Board of Advisors for La Lumiere High School in La Porte, Indiana. He has established scholarship funds at Loyola University School of Law and at Colgate University and have sponsored the Annual Tim Byrnes Lecture in Political Science.